Marina reflects back on 2020

Despite the challenges that 2020 brought, Residents Action Group (RAG) was able to make a difference.

As 2020 begins to wind down, Marina Constas, the chairperson for RAG, reflected on what the organisation accomplished.

“With the pandemic overshadowing most of the year, 2020 was difficult for everyone in our community.”

She said RAG provided support, hope, security and community unity throughout the year.

“As a non-profit, community-based organisation, RAG has been an integral part of our community for more than 18 years. This year, I believe our security solution and community unity and upliftment campaigns were more important than ever,” Marina said.

She added that the organisation constantly strived to go the extra mile to keep families safe and secure.

“We also aimed to help those less fortunate through several initiatives.”

Other projects saw the organisation work to keep Bedfordview clean.

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In honour of Women’s Month in August, RAG launched the “RAG Route”, to keep morning walkers and runners safe.

“This 5.7km route is actively patrolled by our RAG reaction vehicles from 6am to 9am. We also launched our new SafeNet mobile panic button, which is designed to protect people on the move, not just in our area, but around the country,” Marina said.

RAG’s investigation and proactive security skills delivered numerous crime-fighting successes during 2020.

“We apprehended suspected criminals whose vehicles were picked up on the LPR (license plate recognition) cameras in our area and linked to crimes that included a violent house robbery and the theft of cellphone tower batteries.

“Collaboration was the key to many of these successes, and we are proud to have worked with the Bedfordview Community Policing Forum (BCPF), P&C Tactical, 1Track, Vumacam, Navic, Vision Tactical and SAPS specialised units like the Trio Task Team to keep our community safe,” said Marina.

Despite the depressed economy, RAG grew in 2020.

“Residents and businesses recognised the RAG difference.”

Life Bedford Gardens Hospital entrusted its security to RAG.

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The Essexwold Fairway Residents Association also partnered with RAG.

“Lockdown had a devastating impact on poor South Africans. RAG helped Gift of the Givers to distribute food relief in our area.

“We also collected food parcels for Mandela Day, with the assistance of donors, and during lockdown we helped our team of Better Bedfordview cleaners to keep food on their tables.”

RAG’s Better Bedfordview initiative aims to uplift Bedfordview and keep it clean.

The initiative provides employment for four previously unemployed men.

“Better Bedfordview went from strength to strength during 2020. Since our cleaners returned to work after the lockdown, they have transformed rubble and rubbish-strewn streets and corners into neat, pretty oases,” said Marina.

“They have painted, planted and picked up litter. I am so grateful for our hardworking Better Bedfordview team of Orbit Mokase, Maxwell Lukhele, Frans Mokase and Tshepo Motlanthe,” she said.

Another RAG and Better Bedfordview project for 2020 saw owners of the most beautiful pavements in the area go head-to-head to be crowned the winner.

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“This year was our first Best Pavements Competition. It was a resounding success thanks to our generous sponsors, our judges and the green-fingered gardeners who entered. We aim to make it an annual event.”

Marina added that she felt fortunate to be part of the close-knit Bedfordview community.

“I am enormously appreciative of the strength and support of RAG’s current management team, security service providers and directors.

“I am thankful for every single member of the RAG family. I wish you a safe, blessed and peaceful festive season surrounded by those you love,” Marina said.

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